Our Sunderland and Newcastle United writers have their say ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby

Richard Mennear

Newcastle United host Sunderland at St James's Park on Sunday lunchtime in the biggest Tyne-Wear derby in a generation.

Here, our Sunderland and Newcastle United writers have their say ahead of the lunchtime kick-off.

Chris Young:

The law of averages has been the most comforting pre-match factor for Newcastle fans over the last three seasons.

"Surely they can't win AGAIN," has been the false hope running through Tyneside prior to Sunderland making it three, four, five and then six wins on the spin against the Magpies.

Can Sunderland now extend their run by yet another victory and reach a magnificent seven?

If so, then it will leave the streak intact for a while, with minimal prospect of a Premier League Tyne-Wear derby next season at the very least.

A fifth Premier League defeat on the spin for Newcastle would push them firmly towards the relegation trapdoor.

And even if Sunderland only come away with a solitary point, then it at least prevents Rafa Benitez generating any early momentum in the St James's hotseat.

But Benitez's arrival shouldn't be a barrier towards Sunderland emerging a victorious against a Newcastle side who are lying second bottom for more reasons than just Steve McClaren.

Newcastle were more solid defensively against Leicester on Monday night, yet they never forced Kasper Schmeichel into a save.

If Sunderland can remain solid in the early stages - particularly when the crowd will be buoyed by Benitez's home debut - then Sam Allardyce's side have every chance, considering the manner in which they have played since the arrival of the January signings.

The only fear is that Sunderland's own defensive shortcomings might come back to bite them yet again and leave another tale of frustration of what might have been.